15-year-old Kate Stanton key figure for Saints against Power

By
MIKE DRISCOLL

Wollongong Saints skipper Leanne Kidd believes their youngest player Kate Stanton can be the matchwinner in Sunday's Sydney Women's Division Two grand final against unbeaten Southern Power at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Saints teenager Kate Stanton could be a key figure in the grand final. Picture: ROB SHEELEY

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL

Wollongong Saints skipper Leanne Kidd believes their youngest player Kate Stanton can be the matchwinner in Sunday's Sydney Women's Division Two grand final against unbeaten Southern Power at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Stanton is just 15 but has kicked 63 goals in 14 games to be the competition's leading goalkicker by around 25 goals.

The gun full-forward has a massive challenge taking on the Power's best defender, but Kidd is backing the young star to spearhead a Saints victory.

"Kate's just so composed, she plays way more mature than her age," Kidd said.

"Her goalkicking is pretty amazing to average four to five goals a game in her first season in the senior side.

"But she takes it her stride and I'm sure if we get enough ball to her she can kick us some big goals in the grand final.

"We know the Power put their best defender on her, but even if she's not open just knowing the attention she's attracting will help the other forwards.

"But at 15 Kate's an awesome player and someone who can change the game for us."

The Saints' only three losses this season have come to the all-conquering Power, with the clubs dominating their rivals.

Wollongong have been a winning chance in each game with the losses by two points and 11 points in the regular season and just three points in the semi-final a fortnight ago.

Kidd said the team can pull off the upset in the biggest game of the season.

"I think if we do all the one percenters we'll win.

"The intensity will be right up and we believe we can break through."

"All we want is one more win to cap off a great year."

First bounce on Sunday is 10am with plenty of Saints supporters heading to Blacktown.